The Trans Dinarica’s fieldwork is complete – the cycle route’s launch is scheduled for July 31
The fieldwork for the Trans Dinarica — the first and only cycle route linking all eight countries of the Western Balkans — was completed at the end of June. With the completion of the route and itinerary in North Macedonia and Kosovo, the entire Trans Dinarica cycling trail has now been surveyed and marked.
The Trans Dinarica route-development team, GoodTrail, based in Slovenia, has reported that the cycling route will cover more than 5,000 kilometers and approximately 100 stages as it rolls across Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Serbia. The detailed navigation pack with turn-by-turn trail information, points of interest, services, and accommodations will be released on July 31, 2024.
Sustainably exploring the Western Balkans by bike
Beyond being a route that will facilitate bike travel in the Western Balkans, the Trans Dinarica prioritizes towns and villages. It places a focus on responsible travel, culture, national parks, and UNESCO sites while bringing a sustainable economic engine to communities across the region.
“From the beginning of the Trans Dinarica’s development until today, the idea is to give travelers a way to enjoy the Western Balkans while moving safely and at their own speed,” says Jan Klavora, one of GoodTrail’s founders. “This region is perfect to discover by bicycle because of its hospitality and richness of heritage.”
Trans Dinarica stages and navigation
The route averages 50 kilometers per stage (day) and follows quiet asphalt roads, forest trails, and bike paths. Supported by RECONOMY, USAID’s Economic Development, Governance and Enterprise Growth (EDGE) Project, and GIZ’s Sustainable Rural Development in Albania, the Trans Dinarica was created to make it easy for cyclists of all abilities to travel the Balkans on two wheels. To that end, visitors to the route’s website will receive basic information about the trail for free and then pay a nominal fee for all the GPX tracks and information about accommodations and services across the entire Trans Dinarica cycle route.
“We hope travelers take advantage of the Trans Dinarica cycling route so they can better enjoy themselves on bicycles,” continues Klavora. “But, more than anything, we hope people will feel the magic that we have felt while traveling in this way across the region.”
If you’re down for the adventure and want to experience the authenticity of the Western Balkans, whether you’re a cycling pro or a total newbie, the Trans Dinarica cycle route was created with everybody in mind. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated on everything happening along the route.